18 Retro Commercials That Were Burned into Your Brain
These 18 retro commercials stuck with you for years, not because they were perfect, but because they were everywhere.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Retro commercials were loud, repetitive, and often strange, but they were also unforgettable. Many of them aired during cartoons or family TV time, so they became part of everyday life. Even decades later, their jingles, slogans, and visuals are still easy to recall.
1. Mentos Commercials
Dewet on Wikimedia Commons
These ads showed everyday problems solved by eating a mint. The music was upbeat, and the actors exaggerated their reactions. The stories didn’t make much sense, but they were memorable because of how often they aired. Many people still remember the jingle word for word.
2. Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bakers
Bryanwake on Wikimedia Commons
The commercial featured three cartoon bakers who explained why the cereal tasted good. They were animated in a fast, silly way that got attention. The idea was that the cereal was made with real cinnamon and sugar. Kids remembered the energy and the exaggerated reactions.
3. Toys “R” Us Jingle
Timothy Holdiness on Wikimedia Commons
The commercial focused on the excitement of being in a toy store. The song described how kids didn’t want to grow up because they loved toys. It aired frequently during children’s programming. Many people still remember the tune decades later.
4. Skip-It
Saskatoon Public Library on Wikimedia Commons
Skip-It was marketed as a fun toy that could be played with by yourself. The commercial showed kids using it easily and scoring points with the built-in counter. In reality, it was hard to use well, and it could hurt if it hit your leg. Still, the jingle and visuals were easy to remember.
5. Crossfire
crossfire game on Wikimedia Commons
This commercial depicted a board game played with the seriousness of a competition. The scenes were dramatic, with music and effects to make the game look intense. Most kids never played it like the ad showed. But the style of the commercial made it unforgettable.
6. Sunny D Commercials
Roxane17 on Wikimedia Commons
These ads usually began with kids coming home and going straight to the fridge. They listed all the drinks, then picked Sunny D as the best option. The commercial focused on it being a “sunshine” drink with a citrus flavor. It became a common phrase among kids.
7. Clapper
Pixabay on Pexels
The Clapper ad showed people turning lights and devices on and off by clapping. The jingle was simple and easy to repeat. The product was genuine and effective, although not always reliable. The commercial ran for years and became widely recognized.
8. Micro Machines Fast Talker
JPF82 on Wikimedia Commons
The spokesperson spoke extremely fast while explaining the toy’s features. He became known for his delivery speed, which was part of the appeal. Micro Machines were small-scale vehicles sold in sets. The ad’s fast pace made it stand out from others.
9. Ring Pop
Wolfvonder on Wikimedia Commons
This was candy shaped like a large ring. The commercial showed kids wearing and eating them like jewelry. It was a way to make candy seem more playful. The product itself was simple, but the visual style stuck with people.
10. Burger King Kids Club
grassrootsgroundswell on Wikimedia Commons
The commercial introduced a group of animated kids who represented the brand. Each had a different personality or style. The ad focused on meals that came with toys, making eating there seem exciting. It tried to create a sense of community around the brand.
11. Lite-Brite
thomas ambridge on Wikimedia Commons
This toy let kids place colored pegs into a screen to make light-up pictures. The ad highlighted the creativity and ease of use. It became a popular gift item in the 1980s and 1990s. The commercial repeated the name and jingle often, which helped people remember it.
12. California Raisins
Fæ on Wikimedia Commons
The California Raisins were claymation figures created to promote raisins. They sang Motown songs and appeared in music-video-style commercials. The ads were part of a larger campaign and even led to the creation of merchandise. Their look and sound made them hard to forget.
13. Gushers
Thomson200 on Wikimedia Commons
These fruit snacks were shown turning kids’ heads into giant fruits. The commercials used simple special effects to show the transformation. The goal was to make the candy seem more fun and unusual. It caught the kids’ attention even if the idea made no sense.
14. Koosh Ball
K Tempest Bradford on Wikimedia Commons
The toy was made of rubber strings and advertised as easy to throw and catch. The commercial showed kids using it in simple games. It didn’t have a clear purpose, but the texture and colors made it appealing. The ad showed how flexible and safe it was.
15. Bubble Tape
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Bubble Tape came in a circular container with a long strip of gum inside. The commercial used a voiceover that mocked adults and praised kids. It was positioned as a fun, rebellious alternative to regular gum. The message was clear and direct, which helped it stick.
16. Life Alert
Dmitry Makeev on Wikimedia Commons
This ad showed an elderly woman falling and calling for help with a medical alert system. The line “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” became widely quoted. It was a serious product, but the delivery became a pop culture reference. It stayed on the air for years.
17. Stretch Armstrong
Rachel Helps on Wikimedia Commons
The toy was a muscular figure filled with gel that could stretch far. The commercial showed kids pulling the arms and legs across the room. The product did what it promised, although it could break after too much use. Its design and feel made it unique.
18. Moon Shoes
Davide Costanzo on Wikimedia Commons
These were small platforms with rubber bands that created a bouncing effect. The ad showed kids using them like mini trampolines. They didn’t bounce much, but the idea was fun. The visuals and promise of jumping higher made the product appealing.